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Northwoods Retreat on Bad Medicine: Prime swimming, watersports and snowmobiling

Photo gallery for Northwoods Retreat on Bad Medicine: Prime swimming, watersports and snowmobiling

Exterior
Property grounds
Beach
Exterior
Outdoor dining

Reviews

9.6 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% based on
2 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 6142.7 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Gym

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

All-season porch

1 Double Futon

Bedroom 1 - Main

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2 - Double

2 Double Beds

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Northwoods Retreat on Bad Medicine: Prime swimming, watersports and snowmobiling

This is a unique property on pristine Bad Medicine Lake! Once the owner's cabin of 'Red Top Resort,' a three-cabin property active since the 1930's, it has been converted into a northwoods-style year-round lakehouse while retaining its rustic charm.

The house features two bedrooms and two bathrooms, two fireplaces, a full kitchen, a living room, and an all-season porch. The all-season porch has a pull out couch for additional overnight guests (this is practically on the water and the best opportunity to hear the loons while you sleep!). The unfinished basement has a washer and dryer for your use, and a ping-pong table for those not-so-nice days or evening entertainment. There is also a pool table.

The kitchen includes an oven, stove, microwave, and refrigerator/freezer. Other small appliances and cookware, serveware and eating utensils are also included. Guests must bring their own food and life jackets.

**Part-time on-site caretaker**


Lake Information

Bad Medicine Lake is consistently one of the clearest, cleanest lakes in Minnesota. Minnesota Monthly rated it as the best lake for swimming in 2008! It's not uncommon to catch snorkelers and even scuba divers around the lake! Watersports such as tubing, waterskiing, and even sailing are very popular.

Bad Medicine Lake is a great spot for Rainbow Trout and Walleye fishing! It's stocked with Rainbow Trout every year! A public boat launch is only 10 minutes away. Other excellent fishing lakes are easily accessible and close by.

Excellent snowmobile trails are located just off the lake! The trails are groomed, well-maintained, and connect directly to many restaurants, gas stations, and Lake Itasca State Park.


Nearby Activities

Lake Itasca State Park is an approximate 20 minute drive away. Walk across the headwaters of the Mississippi or enjoy excellent biking or hiking trails. Snowmobiling here in the winter is also a lot of fun!

Nearby towns of Park Rapids, MN and Detroit Lakes, MN offer a lot of entertainment for both kids and adults. Fun shopping and good restaurants are easy to find. Park Rapids offers 'Evergreen Fun Park' for the kids, complete with bumper boats, laser tag, mini-golf, and more. Detroit Lakes offers family-friendly activities nearly every weekend.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Gym

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
Dogs only. Max of 2. Additional pet fee applies.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Ponsford

Located in Ponsford, this cabin is in a rural area and on the beach. While the natural beauty of Itasca State Park and Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can head to Character Challenge Course. Jet skiing and snorkelling offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and hunting nearby.
View more Cabin rentals in PonsfordOpens in a new window
Map
Ponsford, MN

What's nearby

  • Big Basswood Lake - 19 min drive - 9.7 km
  • Itasca State Park - 20 min drive - 19.1 km
  • Boot Lake - 32 min drive - 26.9 km
  • Itasca State Park - 44 min drive - 47.1 km
  • Mississippi Headwaters - 46 min drive - 48.5 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Mpsc Dineing Hall - ‬25 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Northwoods Retreat on Bad Medicine: Prime swimming, watersports and snowmobiling pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

How much does it cost to stay at Northwoods Retreat on Bad Medicine: Prime swimming, watersports and snowmobiling?

As of 1 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Northwoods Retreat on Bad Medicine: Prime swimming, watersports and snowmobiling on 3 April 2026 start from NZ$437, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Northwoods Retreat on Bad Medicine: Prime swimming, watersports and snowmobiling?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Northwoods Retreat on Bad Medicine: Prime swimming, watersports and snowmobiling?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Northwoods Retreat on Bad Medicine: Prime swimming, watersports and snowmobiling?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Northwoods Retreat on Bad Medicine: Prime swimming, watersports and snowmobiling located?

Nestled on the beach, this Ponsford cabin is 6.1 mi (9.9 km) from Big Basswood Lake and 9.2 mi (14.8 km) from Itasca State Park. Boot Lake and Heart Lake are also within 20 miles (32 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 60 out of 73 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 73 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 73 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 73 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 73 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Erik M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The lake and cabin are amazing!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Darren H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Vacation

Great place
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Steven N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The place is awesome. The owner is a great guy and we enjoyed sitting and visiting with him and all the history of the lake. We have been coming to this lake for 30 plus years and it never gets old. Krista and Steve do an awesome job of keeping this the place to come back to. Thank you so much and see you next year.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

James S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent

Steve was an awesome host. Everything worked out great and the place was beautiful. We had trouble starting our boat when we were leaving and he helped us to get it going again. We will be back. Thanks Steve.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kyle S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family get away!

We had a great time again! Very relaxing!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Barbara C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful getaway!

My wife and I enjoyed this stay very much! The cabin is roomy and full of light and has beautiful lake views. The property has great lake toys and a great place to get in the lake. We were very comfortable and the cabin was well appointed! Great place to spend a long weekend!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Archival

10/10 Excellent

David W.

Ideal lake experience

Brought the grandchildren for a lake experience and was not disappointed. Beautiful location, comfortable accommodations with nice swimming beach for kids and good fishing for smallmouth bass off the dock. The owner Steve is very hospitable and gave us rides around the lake on his boat. Highly recommended!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2017
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Matt L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Winter retreat

We loved the cozy cabin feel. Daily fires in the porch were a treat and that is where we enjoyed eating all of our family meals. Steve was helpful and kind. We hope to return next year. Thanks!
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jodee S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Three sisters are we

Memories when we were kids and our grandparents owned it. Then called the Red Top Resort. Actually had the resort name on the fishing boat. Great time and memories. Thank you Steve and Krista From The Blanski sisters
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alyson G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Getaway!

My husband, mother and I had an excellent time and were impressed with the living space as well as how well equipped the kitchen was! Steve told us everything we needed to know when we arrived, and he was extremely respectful of our privacy. Great swimming area, the two docks are sturdy and each have seating areas at the end which was fun for star gazing at night. We enjoyed the peacefulness of the area and had fun swimming, boating and scuba diving on Bad Medicine.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mandy H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Exceptionally clean property with easy water access

The property was extremely clean when we arrived. We had a comfortable stay and really enjoyed the easy access to the lake/beach just steps from our cabin! It was a bit of a cooler weekend so we were comfortable sleeping at night and brought along a few of our own blankets/pillows for comfort. I would recommended bringing your own food/groceries/campfire wood prior to arriving as it is a 20+ minute drive to the nearest store.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Terri M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Definitely Coming Back!

We loved everything! Steve greeted us with a warm welcome when we arrived and was very helpful. He even showed us areas around the lake! The house had everything and more! It’s a beautiful home and property! The gorgeous lake was perfect for skiing, tubing, swimming, and even off the dock fishing. We will definitely be coming back next summer! Thank you for sharing your piece of paradise with us!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 4 August 2023
Looking forward to having your family back!
Verified

8/10 Good

Russ & Sue R.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Classic Cabin Getaway

We spent a week here and had phenomenal weather and were able to spend many many hours on this pristine lake! The water is extremely clear and refreshing. The beach area was awesome for our 3 young grandsons playing in the sand with their trucks. There is a sandy shallow cove area to the left of the beach that make it nice for the kids to swim and play more independently. They really enjoyed the Lilypad! The cabin is a classic cozy cabin with many newer updates being made; however no A/C. The weather was cooler in the evenings which made it comfortable to sleep. Overall we were pleasantly surprised! Steve and Krista were extremely prompt in their communication with us; they are very gracious and welcoming hosts! Thanks again for the awesome week!!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

6/10 Okay

Dan F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing lake in a charming older cabin

We had a lovely week. Cabin provided for a great family getaway. Loved the loon calls and the water was so clear. Biggest negative was the very nice property owner taking care of the ground while we were wanting to have the place to ourselves. Twice I didn’t get to sleep in because he was hauling things around on the property, once our evening was disturbed because he kept watering the lawn and leaving it on for long stretches before remembering and moving the sprinklers again, and then the final morning we should have had a few hours to enjoy the place but he was out there mowing. We had dogs that were well behaved but had to be restricted with all the watering and mowing. If that work had to be done, seems like it could have been coordinated around the day we explored Itaska park. This could be a 5 star place, with so many places to sit and view the lake, kayaks to play on the water, and multiple rooms to spread out in. Just wish the yard work hadn’t spoiled the magic.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 4 August 2023
Sorry our yard maintenance was bothersome. It was not our intention. If there is ever a next time, please reach out to let us know and we’ll do our best to arrange our yard maintenance around your off-site adventures. We are so glad you enjoyed the lake!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Exactly what we were looking for!

Our family spent 4 days at Steve and Amy's property on Bad Medicine Lake. We wish we could have stayed several more days...better yet, the entire summer! We had been at the property for approximately 5 minutes when Steve and Amy coasted up to the dock in their boat after an afternoon ride. Steve was standing behind the wheel and greeted us by name as they drifted in. We're not entirely sure if Steve and Amy welcome all their guests in this way, but it sure made us feel like rock stars! The cabin is a stones throw from the water. Some of the clearest water we've ever seen in Northern MN. The hosts allow use of their paddle boat (seats 4), two single-person kayaks and paddles, and an aluminum row boat that comfortably fit one adult and two kids for several fishing outings. Speaking of fishing, we mentioned to Steve our kids liked to fish and he asked if we had any live bait. We did not. Well, that night he returned from dinner with a fresh carton of crawlers for us to use! Very thoughful. The little swimming beach is where our kids spent most of their time running in and out of the water diggin, collecting rocks, and chasing minnows. There's an epic swing set right on the water's edge that was a crowd favorite for our family. The cabin grounds were plenty big enough to toss a frisbee and we really enjoyed the fire pit and appreciate the use of the host's firewood. The highlight of the cabin itself is the front room that overlooks the water. We spent the majority of our time in this room eating or playing games at the large dining table and relaxing on the couch and oversized recliner. We absolutely loved the breeze coming in through the open windows. The two bedrooms and two baths were plenty for our family of five. Our kids enjoyed the foosball and ping pong tables down in the basement. We found the kitchen to be extremely well stocked in terms of utensils (even sharp knives!), dishwear (thank you for having plastic cups instead of all glass!), and appliances. Our family brought several games on the trip, but found the selection of games and books at the cabin to be so good that I don't think we even touched one of our games. Steve's book collection is extensive and a highlight of the trip for me was finding a fun novel to binge read after the kids went to bed. In short, our trip to this property was everything we wanted for a relaxing, family-centric getaway. All we can say is you better book this property before we do!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

4/10 Poor

Monique V.

Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness, communication

Beautiful Beach/Poorly Maintained Cabin

I have never written a negative review before and hesitate to now, but I feel that it’s important for other renters to know what we did not before renting this property. I preface with saying that this is our experience and that yours may be different. Our preferences may differ from others. When we arrived, the owner was there to walk us through the property and the massive amounts of do’s and don’ts. Don’t flush the toilet too often, don’t take too many showers, don’t do laundry unless absolutely necessary (why bother having it available?). There were so many that it gave us misgivings right off the bat. He was friendly, but overbearing. He stayed in a guesthouse on the property less than 50 feet from the house which was very uncomfortable and allowed for zero privacy. Thank goodness he didn’t stay the whole week, just Saturday thru Wednesday. The house also had very close neighbors. So close that one night we had to close all the windows because they were so loud. As for the cabin itself, in my opinion, it was not professionally cleaned before we checked in. Since the owner has you clean the entire house for him before you leave, I assume no other cleaning gets done, except maybe the bathrooms, although you have to clean those before checking out too. There was a list showing that some surfaces get sanitized due to COVID restrictions, which was nice. When we did our finally clean up, we found previous renters garbage under chairs and a lot of corner cobwebs. The kitchen was very dirty upon our arrival. The cupboard surfaces, the rug, the floor, all had dirt build up. We tried to leave it better than we found it but I resented having to do a massive amount of housework after paying what I consider a large sum to stay. Because the screen doors were old and had holes, there was a constant fly issue. Again, we expect a certain level of customer service that did not exist here. You were allowed one night of wood for a fire (shouldn’t that be included in the price?) if you used the propane, you had to replace it (Why isn’t a back up supplied as a perk of renting? It is other places). There was an obnoxious note on the refrigerator about keeping the door closed. I understand that there may have been past issues, but the note did not need to be so offensive as if addressing 5 year olds. Customer service goes a long way to building repeat business. We will not be going back.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 17 September 2021
I am very sorry you had a negative experience at our cabin. I wish you would've said something earlier about the state of our cabin when you checked in. We rely on guests checking out to do some of the regular cleaning and then also bring in a cleaner for things like laundry, mopping, etc. If one of the two parties did not do their job, we would have been able to address it with them and provide additional cleaning for you. Unfortunately I cannot control the proximity to neighboring houses, which are at least 100 ft away, but it is a fair point for others seeking complete privacy. The neighbors are generally only present on weekends, but they are entitled to use of their property – however loud that may be – just as any other homeowner. Our cabin takes its fair share of abuse during the busy summer months and that is the reason for many of the do's and don'ts. Some of these guidelines such as cleaning, firewood and propane are noted within the rental agreement or the “Welcome guide” available online. The note regarding the fridge issue was intended to be humorous but it must’ve missed its mark – the previous, more subtle note to “keep the fridge doors closed” seemed to go unnoticed, so at least this note caught your attention. When guests do not heed our rules and restrictions it results in unnecessary wear and tear on our cabin and septic system, all of which is very important for the maintenance of our lake environment. With late notice, you added additional guests to your party which then resulted in your party being in violation of the maximum number of guests restriction. We reluctantly made an exemption for you assuming the cabin would be left in clean order upon your check out. We appreciate the extra cleaning that you put forth, but in general, disregard for the stated rules causes additional cleaning, maintenance, and septic service issues for not only us, but also for any guests following your stay. Our goal is to share our family cabin on one of the most pristine lakes in MN with other like-minded families who appreciate the beauty of the environment and a cozy cabin to retire to after a day spent outdoors. Thank you for sharing your feedback – we are so sorry that your stay did not meet your expectations.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ben K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderland

If you like rustic themed places with a gorgeous view and lots of activities this is the place to be ! Great for a handful of people or multiple families even !
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Seth D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Could not have asked for more

I'm sort of hesitant to write this review because the more people know how great this place is, the harder it will be for us to stay here next summer. The cabin was clean, comfy, and equipped with tons of amenities for rainy days, but why stay inside with Bad Medicine Lake being an absolutely top notch swimming/kayaking/boating option? The owners absolutely went above and beyond to make our stay amazing, and our whole family (including 9 and 4 year old kids) had an absolute blast. The biggest disappointment was that we had to leave. See you guys next summer!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeff A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Summer get away

Beach was great for grandson to play on. He learned to kayak and loved it. He loved the paddle boat. Most of all he loved playing on the lily pad. The cabin and location was great. We all enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay!!

My group and I had a wonderful stay! Bad Medicine is our favorite lake and we were thrilled to be back. The house was great and had pretty much everything we needed. It is a relaxing property and the lake is just steps away from the deck. Looking forward to returning!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dorothy A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place

Fishing was fun and swimming was good! The place is very nice!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robb L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fishing Trip

Great trip on an extremely nice property right on bad medicine lake. Great hosts that communicate well and extremely nice property.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kyle S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect

Wonderful, much needed get away! Kids had a blast! Also Mom and Dad!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Steven Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Chill Weekend

Hiking at Itasca and then back to the cabin for an early supper and sitting in front of a fire for the rest of the evening. Listening to the loons and just vegging. A perfect stay.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rory M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great family spot!

This was a perfect spot for a long weekend for our family of 5. Our three younger kids loved the beach area, very nice hard sand beach. Cabin was clean and comfortable and had everything that we needed. Beautiful scenery, peaceful, quiet and relaxing!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

About the host

Hosted by Krista Stenerson

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Languages:

English

Premier Host

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